The Biltmore Will Open Its Ballroom to Cats and Dogs for Christmas

Christmas isn't just a holiday for humans.There's many a spoiled dog (or cat) tearing open a present under the tree on Christmas morning. And this year, you can share the celebration with your furry friends at an even swankier locale than your living room: the Biltmore Hotel.

Best of all, the Biltmore's Animal Christmas event benefits charity -- the Pets' Trust, to be exact. On December 17th, there'll be holiday shopping pet adoptions, music, and more.

The shindig will feature all kinds of diversions, including holiday shopping, pet adoptions, a live auction, vendors, music, and a cash bar. Plus, this is probably the only time the Biltmore Ballroom will be open to Fido and Fluffy.

"The Children's Voice Chorus will be singing, there'll be a fashion show with the dogs and the people," says Michael Rosenberg, co-founder of the Pets' Trust.

Expect lots of pups in full Santa gear. Cute overload.

After a big win at the polls last year, Rosenberg's group has been fighting to have its mandate implemented by our elected officials.

The jist is this: in November 2012, Miamians voted in favor of an increased property tax to fund animal service programs that would help the city move towards no kill. Despite the vote, the commissioners have failed to implement the final plan. So, the Pets' Trust folks have been fighting in Tallahassee to make it happen.

"To make the vote be binding it needs to be changed at the state level. It has to become a bill, so we're trying to finalize the Senator that will sponsor the bill. Then we have to go to work -- all the lobbying takes place, we have to talk to all the representatives and make sure we have 61 votes."

"It's been quite the challenge to be engaged in the Pets' Trust. This is a chance to come together and sort of celebrate what we've done so far," Rosenberg adds.

The event runs from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17. Admission costs $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Check out the Pets' Trust Facebook page.